For Part Two
For Part One
A few weeks have passed since we published the second part of this series.
A few weeks during which the war in Gaza has escalated. Claiming more lives, creating more destruction and loss.
A few weeks where our protagonist, Alexander…has not known much comfort.
As the problems keep piling in on him, he has now also been diagnosed with Vertigo syndrome.
“I get these dizzy spells…where I can barely stand up or keep my eyes open…everything starts to swirl around and I become nauseous”, he explains as I listen in worry.
In the past year, many of the people I know in Israel have become dependent on social security. Varying from different ages, I have friends in their 20’s, 30’s and above…who left the working force and have succumbed to a life of dependency from the government.
It saddens me to see young people already acknowledging defeat in their lives. They will no longer work for a living, no longer aspire for great things, save for certain goals or dreams. Staying alive and comfortable will be enough for them. Having something to eat, a place to rest their head and care for basic hygiene will be enough. It saddens me that people whom were once courageous enough to fight in war for their country, have now been crippled by that same creed. Forever changed and weakened.
My numbers are not official, yet ever since the October 7’th attacks, following the Israeli refugee crisis due to heavy rocket fire…I presume that almost 3% of all Israelis have started to receive social security relying on basic income (approximately 175,000 people).
Not only Alexander, yet my own family members…and other friends that haven’t reached the age of thirty have opted into social security as they have experienced enough physical, emotional and mental trauma, that they can no longer adept to common civil challenges. Citizens that have taken a step down, admitting they can no longer contribute to society as they would like to. A solid blow to any small developing country. Fewer minds and bodies in the melting pot are crucial and will be missed. Weakening the posterity of the “almighty conqueror”.
It is heartfelt all around, as the Palestinians in Gaza are held captive as cannon fodder by Hamas. That murder, steal, cheat and sacrifice civilians without remorse or guilt, to further their religious apocalyptic ideologies.
In this final part of our interview and talk, I read out and ask Alexander a few questions I wrote down, as we explore their answers together.
Taking Pictures in Service. Courtesy of Alexander Aronsky
- Where do you think the conflict stems from today? Is it still libeled in religious prophecy and dogma? Is it still about land? The truth and righteousness? I ask Alexander.
“The objectives of Jihad are to annihilate the Israeli state and kill all the Jews occupying the land. After that, Jihad believes in furthering this conquest to Europe, the west and anywhere possible on earth in order to fulfill their role in their doomsday messianic prophecy. Their holy war. That's what Jihad means literally, holy war. It is a religious philosophy that is embedded within radical Islam.” he answers and then quickly asks me in return “Why? what do you think?”
“Today? The world’s structure has changed because of technology. As you said in one of our talks, where there is no access to information, there is no freedom” I begin. “Jihad has existed for thousands of years and has known greater heights than today in history…yet its distribution is different today”. I see the war stemming from extreme Islamic ideology and reasoning. I think the war is being perpetuated as a rallying measure in the Islamic world.
There are 2 billion muslims in the world. That's around a quarter of all humans on earth. What would happen if that population decided to march to Jerusalem and free their occupied brothers and sisters? Israel would be obliterated. If that’s the case, why haven’t they acted? Why are Palestinians sacrificed for extreme ideologies? I think that especially today, with the internet continuing to rise as a powerful tool of information…it's important to keep the masses focused on ancient enemies and plots.
It keeps the masses brainwashed and focused. It keeps them subordinate and appreciative. If the internet would be uncensored in the muslim world, many would leave the religion and pursue freedom for themselves, to follow and aspire for their own desires and dreams. The conflict between Israel and Palestine serves that purpose. Of rallying those masses and giving them a common enemy to focus on, while they remain blind to the mental and spiritual slavery they are experiencing in their home countries. The war in Israel is a distraction and a doomsday plot for all muslims on earth to believe in. To unify the masses and create cohesion in the muslim world, that any other concept…besides Jihad…would not be able to achieve.”
I answer and stress the selling point and slogan : “The only reason there is wrongdoing and sin in the world, is because of the Jews and Westerners…if we annihilate them, Islam will reign heaven on earth for everyone…and we will all be free of tyranny” is their sales pitch, which works terrifically with terror upon gullible underdeveloped and uneducated peoples. “Free the world from tyranny…only to rule over you and everyone with strict Muslim law. That's not freedom, it's another holocaust". I responded.
Alexander stares me dead in the eye and nods slightly, appreciating my answer as we move on to other questions.
Posing during final year. Courtesy of Alexander Aronsky
Can you think or foresee any solutions to the conflict? Do you even think of peace anymore and if so, how do you envision it?
Alex smirks a bit and quickly responds : “Sure, there are still positive things and points of light to remember that exist and should be cultivated. Mahmoud Abbas the President of the PLO recently said that Hamas should give back all hostages and surrender unconditionally. Israeli Parliament member Dr.Ahmad Tibi spoke out immediately after the October 7’th attack and warned about any Arab-Israeli speaking in praise of it. We should always find the people that are willing to talk and are reasonable and speak to them as much as we can” he surprises me with his positivity.
“I have muslim Israeli friends that would fight alongside me against Hamas. Some of them even hate them more than I do, but let me share something funny with you. When my family made Aliyah and came to Israel, the assisting branch recommended for us to stay somewhere. They told us there are cheap hotels there and it's a nice area. Where did they send us to, and where did I sleep my first night in Israel as an arriving citizen? In Gaza!” (In `91 the freedom of movement from Gaza and Israel was practically open 24 hours a day) as I laughed along with him.
“It was actually pretty nice, the beaches were welcoming and the prices were fair. Who knew that in the future, I would be plowing ahead inside a tank in the same area?” he asks with surprise.
While Alexander is a bit more positive than me, I do believe peace is still possible. A million Arab Israelis are the perfect example of how Jews and Muslims can live together freely. Even with mixed marriages, which exist by the thousands in Israeli society.
I think something that is being forgotten and should be pointed out again, is that during the entire duration of the war against Hamas…many things have continued to go on as usual for decades…as Only Muslims are allowed to pray at the Temple Mount. Prayers that are arranged and organized In Israel under Israeli law, security and services. A shining example of Israel’s values and sensibility to the muslim world. “That's a really good point,” Alex agrees. “It is one of the holiest sites in Judaism and still handed over to the enemy in good faith. That is either extremely inspiring or incredibly stupid”. Alex adds.
Should Jihad be branded into the mind of every muslim on earth? A fable of injustice and theft that should be fought by the unity of all muslims, to be righteous and rectify this great evil in order to bring on the kingdom of heaven as written in the prophecy? Is there no moderation to the religion? Is disagreeing with Jihad already Haram and should be met with severe punishment of dissent and betrayal?
Is “the right of return” applicable to Indonesians? Malaysians? Where in Kuala Lumpur, entire skyscrapers are made of pure gold? Or does Jihad itself eventually demonize Islam, and strip it away from any good values, compassion, common sense and logic.
Is Jihad itself, Islam’s greatest enemy? As it radicalizes impurities into wars?
“Let's call it Polish guilt!” Alex says as I begin laughing out loud.
“Sure man, the tactics are well known. There is a lot of lying and hypocrisy in the Arab or Muslim world…call it what you want. They lie so much, it becomes a normal part of the conversation. You can tell yourself a lie until you believe it, but you still know that it's a lie. If they can convince someone that killing a baby is god’s will and way to righteousness…they can convince someone of anything. That Palestine should exist, but Israel should not”. Alex sets the bar.
- My last question to him before we end is if he could say anything to the relatives of the families that he has taken away, what would it be?
“They should elect better leaders and prioritize their own safety and progress over fanatic sects of religion. Israel still powers Gaza. Water and Gas, if they exist…are coming from Israel for free. Even today. Some form of order has to exist for a society. Values. Yet when your elected leaders have the murder and destruction of other people as a form of victory and emancipation, being stupid and evil is also a conscious decision being made. The fallacy of presenting an inverted reality has gotten old. Twisting and churning truth itself until it caters your maniacal ways is imploding on itself, because of the internet and the information that is out there…propaganda itself is against the liberties of people. That need to make their own mind, and make the best choices for themselves” Alexander convicts.
Rest in the Shade with the Unit. Courtesy of Alexander Aronsky
“I honestly cannot tell you. This conflict has existed long before I was born, and will probably exist long after I am dead. I was a small notch in the military machine. The elected leaders are the one’s perpetuating this war today. They are in charge of solving the problem or making it worse, and they should be held accountable”.
“As long as the political game of salaries, wealth, personal survival and gain becomes more important than public service…is where death, loss and destruction don't mean anything anymore, for either side. It becomes all just a sick game of pigs, orchestrating their next meal while the innocent are merely sacrificial pawns”. Alexander goes on.
“In order to cause real change, it is the people that need to speak up about it…but if you get shot, thrown in prison or worse for merely speaking…it's game over”.
“The only hope for peace and serenity are left for the special people, the real “chosen people”. That can choose sanity, compassion and logic over fear, intimidation and pressure. People that are smart enough to see through the bullshit. People that are strong and brave enough to say NO”.
“This holy war isn't between Jews and Muslims, it's between good and evil, right and wrong, logic and illogic…and people on both sides need to wake up and decide who they are fighting for…because the future will be even worse and once that happens, it doesn't matter what side you are on, you will be dead”. Alex finishes sternly.
-
This concludes our interview and discussion.
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Peace שלום سلام
